Today’s self-storage operators have more options and more opportunity than ever before. As the industry continues to evolve, facilities are moving beyond one-size-fits-all designs to meet the needs of every type of customer.
Two storage styles lead the way: drive-up storage units and indoor storage facilities. Each brings its own strengths, appeal, and operational advantages. The real key? Knowing how to match the right style to your market and your customers.
Whether you’re developing a new property or expanding your current footprint, choosing the right mix can maximize your site’s appeal, occupancy, and long-term returns.
Storage Styles 101
Drive-Up Units
Drive-up storage offers the ultimate convenience. Customers can drive their vehicles directly up to their unit door, making loading and unloading fast and efficient. These ground-level units are typically arranged in wide rows with spacious drive aisles that can accommodate trucks, vans, or trailers.
Using Boxwells at your site gives you all the benefits of traditional drive-up access, plus unmatched flexibility. Boxwell’s relocatable units are durable and quick to install without permanent foundations. They can be reconfigured or expanded as your business grows. With a minimum order quantity of 12 units, you can easily expand your site as demand grows. Drive-up units are ideal for customers who prioritize accessibility, speed, and space; and for operators who value quick installation and strong ROI.
Indoor Storage
Indoor storage offers a different type of experience. Located within a building, these units are accessible through interior hallways, offering a comfortable, enclosed environment.
Boxwell’s hallway systems create clean, bright spaces with secure access, high visibility, and thoughtful layouts. They can be added to new builds or retrofitted to existing structures, giving operators design flexibility while providing customers with an upscale storage experience. Indoor storage attracts renters who value protection from the weather and a professional, well-maintained setting.
Who Chooses What: Knowing Your Customer
Drive-Up Units Are Best For:
- Quick & Easy Access: Perfect for customers who visit their units frequently, such as movers, contractors, or small business owners.
- Heavy or Bulky Items: Great for furniture, appliances, equipment, or materials that need to be loaded directly from a car or trailer.
- Flexible Space Options: Drive-up units come in a wide range of sizes, from small storage garages to 10×20+ spaces that can hold entire households or vehicles.
- Affordable Storage: Outdoor units often cost less to rent, making them ideal for budget-conscious customers or short-term storage needs.
- Vehicle Storage: Ideal for storing motorcycles, small boats, ATVs, and even cars. Especially great for customers without a garage!
Indoor Units Are Best For:
- Long-Term Protection: Indoor access shields items from weather, dust, and debris, making it ideal for long-term or high-value storage.
- Added Security: Interior facilities often include advanced access control, 24/7 monitoring, and on-site staff, giving customers extra peace of mind.
- Premium Experience: Indoor spaces are perceived as modern and upscale. A great way to attract renters willing to pay higher rates for an elevated experience.
- Smaller Unit Options: Indoor storage often include smaller lockers and specialty sizes for customers with minimal or high-value storage needs.
Smart Design, Smart Operations
While customer preference is key, location also plays a role in which storage type performs best. In humid or hot regions, indoor storage provides extra protection from moisture and temperature fluctuations. Whereas in dry or moderate regions, drive-ups perform exceptionally well. Another factor to think about is space. Are you planning to build in an urban setting or suburban setting? Urban areas often lack space for drive-up facilities, which makes indoor storage the perfect fit. Building up instead of building out means you’ll have the same amount of storage space (if not more). Here are some differences between drive-up storage and indoor storage.
Drive-Up
- Fast installation with minimal site prep and no permanent foundations needed.
- Scalable growth – add or relocate units to meet demand for peak seasons.
- Low maintenance with fewer moving parts and no HVAC to manage.
- High return on investment from faster occupancy and shorter construction times.
Indoor Storage
- Premium pricing, renters are willing to pay more to have the convenience of indoor storage and 24/7 security for their belongings.
- Modern appeal from clean layouts and lighting to enhance your brand image.
- High customer retention due to consistent comfort.
- Custom fit for any building layout with Boxwell’s hallway system.
Which Fits Your Site Best?
| Consideration | Drive-Up | Indoor |
| Customer Priority | Access and convenience | Comfort and protection |
| Ideal Market | Suburban, rural, business-heavy areas | Urban, residential, mixed-use |
| Installation Time | Quick setup ensures faster move-ins | Moderate, construction times and building modifications play a significant role in timing |
| Maintenance | Minimal, mostly property upkeep | Moderate, lighting and HVAC need to be maintained |
| Price Point | Budget-friendly option for customers looking to store large items | Premium rental rates for monitored and secure access |
| Storage Types | Large, vehicles, tools, business inventory | Personal items, furniture, documents, valuables |
Better Together
The most successful storage facilities combine drive-up access and indoor access to serve different customers at the same site. A hybrid layout, with Boxwell relocatable units outside and a Boxwell hallway system inside, can turn underused land or existing buildings into fully functional storage spaces. The result: higher occupancy, diversified income, and flexibility for future expansion.
By using Boxwells across both applications, operators maintain consistent quality, aesthetics, and branding, while meeting the full range of customer expectations. Boxwell makes it easy to offer both types of storage on your property. Whether you’re developing a new facility or expanding an existing one, we can help you build a smart, balanced storage mix that meets your market needs.
Build smarter with Boxwell. Let’s create your ideal mix of drive-up and indoor storage today.
Boxwell designs, manufactures, and installs industry-leading storage solutions. Our lineup includes relocatable self-storage units, portable containers, hallway systems, and roll up doors. Every product is fully customizable and built to last—trusted by companies across the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
Boxwell is Built For Your Success. From the start, our mission has been simple: create the best B2B storage products and back them with outstanding customer support. Our clients gain access to dedicated Account Managers, design and installation services, and extensive product warranties.
We are here to help. Contact Boxwell today via our email, sales@boxwell.co, or call 303-317-5850.